IBU COACH EDUCATION: COACHES ADVANCE WITH SECOND LEVEL COURSE IN LILLEHAMMER

In the snow-covered setting of Lillehammer, Norway, the IBU’s Second Level Course for the 2023/24 season has successfully completed its second week. Taking place at the renowned Birkebeiner Ski Stadium from April 7-11 2024, the event brought together 20 dedicated coaches from 19 different National Federations.

The second week of the course benefited from good snow conditions and great support from the Norwegian Federation. The coaches engaged in an intensive program designed to deepen their understanding and skills in various crucial areas of biathlon coaching.

This week’s focused topics included Rifle Knowledge, Shooting and Skiing Techniques, Physiology, Strength and Agility, Team Building, Recovery and Prevention, and Training Science. The sessions were expertly conducted by several top lecturers including Siegfried Mazet, Lars Axel Nygard, Oyvind Sandbakk, Kerry McGawley, Knut Kuvas Brevik, Vegard Gjermundshaug, Alf Koksvik, Guro Strom Solli, Per Oyvind Torvik, Oyvind Karlsson, and Eirik Moe. Their expertise and enthusiasm significantly enhanced the learning experience.

The venue and its facilities provided an ideal setting for both theoretical and practical learning. The program was not only about improving technical skills but also focused on fostering strong team dynamics and understanding the science behind effective training and recovery practices.

At the end of the course, the coaches prepared to return to their home countries, equipped with new knowledge, skills, and connections, ready to apply what they had learned and continue to contribute to the development of biathlon. This week in Lillehammer was another reminder of how education and teamwork are crucial in pushing the boundaries of coaching excellence in biathlon.

Photos

Photo Credits: IBU